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Special Meeting Minutes Friday, March 03, 2023 11:30 AM BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Maricopa County, Arizona (and the Boards of Directors of the Flood Control District, Library District, Stadium District, Improvement Districts and/or Board of Deposit) "The mission of Maricopa County is to provide regional leadership and fiscally responsible, necessary public services to its residents so they can enjoy living in healthy and safe communities” Board Members Clint Hickman, Chairman, District 4 Jack Sellers, Vice Chairman, District 1 Thomas Galvin, District 2 Bill Gates, District 3 Steve Gallardo, District 5 County Manager Joy Rich Clerk of the Board Juanita Garza Meeting Location Supervisors' Conference Room 301 W Jefferson, 10th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85003 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS The Board of Supervisors of Maricopa County, Phoenix, Arizona, convened in Special Session at 11:30 AM on Friday, March 3, 2023, in the Supervisors’ Conference Room 301 W Jefferson, 10th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85003, with the following members present: Clint Hickman, Chairman, District 4 (remote); Jack Sellers, Vice Chairman, District 1; Thomas Galvin, Supervisor, District 2; Bill Gates, Supervisor, District 3 (remote); Steve Gallardo, Supervisor, District 5 (remote). Also present: Juanita Garza, Clerk; Joy Rich, County Manager; Betsy Pregulman, Legal Counsel; Mia Vargas, Minutes Coordinator. ~ Vice Chairman Sellers was Acting Chairman for this meeting. Chairman Hickman was remote ~ ACTION 1. CONSIDER ACTION REGARDING THE RIO VERDE FOOTHILLS Take action regarding the Board’s Authority and Responsibilities regarding the Rio Verde Foothills water issue. (C-19-23-098-X-00) Acting Chairman Sellers opened the meeting and said this meeting was to consider action regarding the Rio Verde Foothills and asked the Board if they had any comments. Supervisor Galvin stated this is a process that he has been working on since he got appointed in December of 2021. He talked about two issues: a short-term plan and long-term plan. Supervisor Galvin said the County has been working with a private company, EPCOR, to deliver water on the long-term plan. This plan would take approximately two years to implement. Supervisor Galvin said a short-term or interim plan would be needed. He talked about a proposed plan last year to have EPCOR provide water to Rio Verde Foothills through the Scottsdale standpipe and compensate Scottsdale for the use of their infrastructure. He mentioned that Scottsdale did not want to serve water to the Rio Verde Foothills. Supervisor Galvin talked about an agreement between County, EPCOR and City of Scottsdale until the new standpipe was constructed to solve the issue. He said Scottsdale has resisted the plan. Special Meeting Minutes Friday, March 03, 2023 Page 2 of 6 Supervisor Galvin presented a video of an interview with CBS news regarding the Rio Verde Foothills water issues. The video highlighted Scottsdales unwillingness to work with the community of Rio Verde Hills. Supervisor Galvin reviewed the timeline of the Rio Verde Foothills issue, from the time he was appointed to current. He stated it is unacceptable to have water cut off to the people in Rio Verde Foothills when a long-term plan has been identified and there is a viable short-term plan being proposed. Supervisor Galvin said he represents the unincorporated areas including Rio Verde Foothills as well as the City of Scottsdale. He was looking for a solution that would benefit both. He commented on communication with the City of Scottsdale that was concerning. He stated the EPCOR plan was good, it made sense, and it benefited Scottsdale. Acting Chairman Sellers asked the Clerk to call the roll to confirm Supervisor attendance. The Clerk called the roll and then read the following Resolution: Special Meeting Minutes Friday, March 03, 2023 Page 3 of 6 Special Meeting Minutes Friday, March 03, 2023 Page 4 of 6 The Clerk collected all speaker forms. Supervisor Galvin said there were four speakers in person. John Hornewer, resident, spoke about the Rio Verde Foothills water issue. He commented on EPCOR, the denied DWID, and asked the Board to come up with a solution that Scottsdale would accept. Karen Nabity, resident, spoke about the Rio Verde Foothills water issue. She commented on an Arizona Attorney General opinion, and the DWID. She asked the Special Meeting Minutes Friday, March 03, 2023 Page 5 of 6 County to work with the City of Scottsdale because Rio Verde Foothills needs a solution now. Doreen Hornewer, resident, spoke about the Rio Verde Foothills water issue. She thanked the Board for allowing her to speak in the meeting. She commented on EPCOR and working with City of Scottsdale. Cody Reim, resident, spoke about the Rio Verde Foothills water issues. He said he was opposed to the City of Scottsdale proposed plan and is in favor of working with EPCOR to provide water. Supervisor Galvin addressed some of the points made by the speakers. He said he was not pushing anything or forcing anything and this is a statement of support for everyone. Supervisor Galvin stated, that EPCOR stepped up and said they could serve when the deadline was initially announced. He said there were numerous communications between EPCOR and the City Council. It was the Mayor who squashed the plan, seemingly for no reason. Supervisor Gallardo thanked Supervisor Galvin for all his work on this project. He asked what was Scottsdale’s issue with EPCOR? Jen Pokorski, Maricopa County Assistant County Manager, came forward to answer the question. She stated they have reached out to City of Scottsdale to understand what the issue was with EPCOR and there was no clear answer. They stated it was in conflict with their drought management plan, and after reviewing it, she did not see any conflict that would prevent them entering into an agreement with EPCOR. Supervisor Gallardo asked what is Scottsdale’s solution? Supervisor Galvin said, the County was not aware of a solution until a press release, issued with the ten deal points adding they have not responded to his letter or calls. Supervisor Gates echoed Supervisor Gallardo’s comments and thanked Supervisor Galvin for his work on this issue. He also talked about a similar situation with New River, and the City of Phoenix. He stated EPCOR had agreed to provide water to the residents in New River. Chairman Hickman said he witnessed Supervisor Gates’ situation with New River. He stated Supervisor Galvin has done a wonderful job managing this difficult situation. Chairman Hickman offered his support and help to talk with the Mayor of Scottsdale. He thanked Supervisor Galvin for offering a solution. Acting Chairman Sellers said this was an issue way before Supervisor Galvin was a Supervisor and he hit the ground running to find a solution from day one. He thanked Supervisor Galvin for his dedication to get a resolution on this issue. Special Meeting Minutes Friday, March 03, 2023 Page 6 of 6 Motion to approve the Resolution by Supervisor Thomas Galvin, seconded by Supervisor Bill Gates Ayes: Clint Hickman, Jack Sellers, Thomas Galvin, Bill Gates, Steve Gallardo Supervisor Galvin said, he appreciated the four speakers who came to speak and those who were watching. He stated that everything he has worked on has been with good motives and done to help the citizens. He considered a proposed taxing district and he communicated with the City of Scottsdale that even if the DWID is not approved, they will find a solution. He stated he was proud to have worked with state elected officials, and other bipartisan groups who have helped in this issue. Supervisor Galvin commented on City of Scottsdale Mayor, David Ortega, for his inability to find a source of water. He thanked the County staff who have helped with this issue. He is proud of this Resolution because it is an expression of support. Acting Chairman Sellers made closing comments regarding Rio Verde Foothills water issues. He said he was proud to support a pragmatic solution to a growing problem in Maricopa County. The use of an existing water utility is a sensible solution to solving a water problem in Rio Verde Foothills and other areas impacted by water shortage. He closed by saying he hoped they could move forward and not play politics with a scarce resource. A copy of the Resolution is on file with the Clerk of the Board's Office and retained in accordance with LAPR retention guidelines. MEETING ADJOURNED There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. ________________________ Jack Sellers, Acting Chairman ATTEST: ____________________________ Juanita Garza, Clerk of the Board